April 08, 2013

In my post of February 27^th, I chose a random photograph of Culp’s Hill and decided to identify the monuments in the photo. Since that has been one of my favorite posts to date, I found a similar view of East Cemetery Hill and identified these markers and monuments as well. At far left is the monument to the 134^th New York Infantry, capped with a shiny, larger-than-life bullet. I’m uncertain if the cannon to its left belongs to Battery I of the 1^st New York Light Artillery, but the cannon to the right of the 134^th definitely represents that unit.

The statue is of Gen. Oliver Otis Howard. The monument directly of front of Howard’s memorial represents the 1^st New York Light Artillery. The 73^rd Pennsylvania Infantry monument sits to the right, more in the foreground. The half moon atop the monument shows it was part of the 11^th Corps. (Many Gettysburg monuments include corps or division symbols). The artillery far in the distance, on either side of the 73^rd PA, is likely Rickett’s Battery, Battery F and G of the 1^st Pennsylvania Light Artillery. The monument for the 1^st Pennsylvania Light Artillery, large and flat, can be partially seen at the far right of the photo.

**HONORED TODAY**

2^ND LT. WILLIAM H. BEAVER

Co. D, 153^rd Pennsylvania Infantry

Born 1842 --- Died July 01, 1863 at age 21

Lt. Beaver’s pre-war residence was in East Allen Township, Pennsylvania. He enlisted on October 10, 1862. His record in the "U.S. Registers of Deaths of Volunteers, 1861 – 1865” says he was 2^nd Lieutenant in the 155^th Pennsylvania, though all other records say it was the 153^rd. Lt. Beaver is buried at Gettysburg National Cemetery. A photo of him can be found here.


(c) 2013 Skies of Blue and Gray